School pupils in ɬ are going from strength to strength in their learning and future aspirations, according to the council’s latest Education Service Progress and Impact Report for 2024-25 and its broader Strategic Plan for 2024-26.
At a meeting of the Council’s Community Services Committee, councillors received updates on the positive progress that has been made across the area’s education service throughout the last year.
For example:
- As of May 2025, the overall rate of persistent absence (less than 90% attendance) has fallen by 4 percentage points against 2023-24 figures;
- 94.8% of school leavers in 2023-24 entered a positive destination. Additionally, 94.3% of all 16–19-year-olds in ɬ were in education, training, or employment, placing the authority 9th in Scotland according to the SDS Annual Participation Measure
- Employer partnerships have grown significantly in 2024-25, resulting in 387 work placements, a 60% increase from the previous year. These placements have enabled young people to explore vocational pathways, build skills for life and work, and increase their confidence and resilience.
- The council continues to work with UHI Argyll College to extend the Senior Phase offer and virtual networked courses are now available to all Senior Phase pupils across ɬ. In 2024-25, twenty-five college courses were offered at SCQF levels 3 to 6, providing 576 young people with access to tailored learning aligned to their interests and aspirations.
- The poverty-related attainment gap, has continued to decrease in ɬ and the council is working with Skills Development Scotland, Developing the Young Workforce, Community Learning and Development, the ɬ Employability Partnership (ABEP) and with employers to ensure all young people from all social backgrounds are ready to enter a fulfilling and sustained positive destination on leaving school.
The Council’s Policy Lead for Education, Councillor Audrey Forrest, said: “This update report reflects our shared commitment to ensuring that every child and young person in ɬ flourishes in their learning, their lives, and their future aspirations. It demonstrates clearly the effectiveness of the work being carried out by the Council and its partners across our education services in addressing the priorities of the National Improvement Framework.
“However, we recognise the importance of continuing to ensure ɬ’s young people have equality of opportunity as they focus on their future educational and career ambitions, and our Strategic Plan for Education sets out our commitment to providing high-quality learning experiences that equip our young people with the skills, confidence, and ambition to shape their own futures.”
See the council website for the full report, including our current progress and upcoming plans.
